Cookies N Tea N Travel log
Mood:  bright
Homemade Chocolate chip cookies, ice coffee, and many other delicious treats.
Osawa-san showed a Power Point of an interesting research trip he made to Australia and some incredible pictures of London and Abby Road just like the Beatles Album cover. wow.
Miwa-san shared her pictures of London and Yale where she studied English for two weeks this summer.
Miki shared an album of pictures of her trip to Portugal.
Hase took us on a photo trip to scenic Switzerland.
Siddique-san shared some shots of Saipan and Bangladesh.
Shinobu amazed us with stories and gorgeous shots of Cambodia.
Oh, and i showed some photos of Tanzania.
We all took a vicarious trip around the world with some great friends.
What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
we are truly blessed.

Saturday, Sept. 25th
Koto Concert with Shakuhachi and Shamisen accompaniment

One of my supervisors at the main office plays the KOTO. Her daughter also plays and had a recital in downtown Nishinomiya today. We were invited and enjoyed a free concert that was incredibly relaxing and inspiring. Koto music ranges from very traditional but to more modern pieces that almost sound like jazz. Shakuhachi is a traditional Japanese flute - oh so soothing - and the sounds reminded me of Native American and South American flute melodies at times. The shamisen is a three stringed instrument that looks a bit like a banjo. It is strummed with something that looks like an ice scraper for our car windshields. I'm told this instrument, bachi, is a lot more expensive than my ice scrapter!

Friday, Sept. 24th
Kyoto with Jan and Joanne and Yoshie and her daughter Miki and my other wonderful friend, Miki
Heian Shrine and gardens
Kyoto Craft Center
Nishijin Textile Center, kimono material weaving, silk painting, and Kimono Fashion Show
Kawaramachi Shopping and a stroll through Gion with Geisha and Maiko.
what a day.